What's the difference between Netflix and Netflix premium?

Netflix remains a global leader in streaming, offering a vast library of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original content that caters to diverse tastes. With its widespread popularity, choosing the right subscription plan can be a challenge. In 2025, Netflix offers three main plans: Standard with Ads, Standard, and Premium. For those seeking an ad-free experience, the choice often comes down to Standard versus Premium. This comprehensive guide explores the differences between Netflix Standard and Premium plans, helping you decide which one best suits your streaming needs.

Overview of Netflix Plans

Before diving into the specifics of Standard and Premium, here’s a quick look at all three Netflix plans available in 2025:

• Standard with Ads: Priced at $7.99/month, this plan includes ads, offers Full HD (1080p) streaming, supports 2 simultaneous streams, but does not allow downloads or extra members.

• Standard: At $17.99/month, this plan is ad-free, provides Full HD (1080p) streaming, supports 2 simultaneous streams, allows downloads on 2 devices, and permits adding 1 extra member.

• Premium: For $24.99/month, this plan is ad-free, offers Ultra HD (4K) streaming, supports 4 simultaneous streams, allows downloads on 6 devices, and permits adding up to 2 extra members.

This article focuses on comparing the Standard and Premium plans, as they are the primary ad-free options.

Detailed Comparison

Below is a detailed breakdown of the key differences between Netflix Standard and Premium plans, based on pricing, streaming quality, simultaneous streams, downloads, extra members, and audio features.

Price

The Standard plan costs $17.99 per month, while the Premium plan is $24.99 per month, a difference of $7. For budget-conscious viewers, the Standard plan offers a cost-effective, ad-free experience. However, the Premium plan’s additional features may justify the extra cost for those who need them.

Streaming Quality

The Standard plan delivers Full HD (1080p) streaming, which provides sharp and clear visuals on most modern TVs, laptops, and mobile devices. This resolution is sufficient for many viewers, offering a high-quality experience without requiring advanced hardware.

The Premium plan, however, unlocks Ultra HD (4K) streaming, with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels—four times that of 1080p. This results in incredibly detailed images with vibrant colors, especially noticeable on larger screens (e.g., 55-inch or 65-inch TVs). To fully enjoy 4K, you need a 4K-compatible device and a stable internet connection (at least 15 Mbps for 4K streaming, according to Netflix). Not all content is available in 4K; many popular Netflix originals and select movies support it, but older titles may only be available in HD or SD.

If you don’t have a 4K TV or fast internet, the Standard plan’s 1080p quality is likely sufficient. For those with the right setup, Premium’s 4K streaming elevates the viewing experience significantly.

Simultaneous Streams

The Standard plan allows streaming on 2 devices simultaneously, meaning two people can watch different shows or movies at the same time. This is adequate for individuals, couples, or small households where viewing doesn’t often overlap.

The Premium plan supports 4 simultaneous streams, making it ideal for larger households. For example, in a family of four, each member could watch their content on separate devices—such as a TV, laptop, tablet, and phone—without conflicts. If your household frequently has multiple viewers streaming at once, Premium’s additional streams prevent the need to take turns or encounter error messages when exceeding the stream limit.

Downloads

Both plans allow downloading content for offline viewing, which is perfect for travel or areas with poor internet connectivity. The Standard plan permits downloads on 2 devices, while Premium allows downloads on 6 devices. Both plans support up to 100 downloads per device, but Premium’s higher device limit means you can have more total downloads across multiple devices.

For instance, with Premium, you could download movies on your laptop for a flight, TV shows on your tablet for commuting, and episodes on your phone for quick watches, all without managing which device has which content. This flexibility is valuable for users with multiple devices or those sharing accounts with others who also download content.

Extra Members

Netflix’s extra member feature allows you to share your account with people outside your household, such as friends or family in different locations. The Standard plan lets you add 1 extra member for $8.99/month (ad-free) or $6.99/month (with ads). The Premium plan allows up to 2 extra members, each at the same cost. Extra members get their profiles, watchlists, and recommendations, making it a convenient way to share without sharing passwords. Note that extra members must be in the same country as the primary account holder.

This feature is particularly useful for families spread across different locations or for gifting access to Netflix. Premium’s ability to add two extra members offers more flexibility than Standard.

Spatial Audio

The Premium plan includes spatial audio, which creates a three-dimensional sound experience, making it feel like the audio is coming from all around you. This is especially immersive with compatible headphones or sound systems and enhances the viewing experience for movies and shows that support it. Not all content offers spatial audio, and you need compatible hardware to benefit from it. Standard plan users get standard audio, which is sufficient for most but lacks the immersive quality of spatial audio.

Who Should Choose Which Plan?

Netflix Standard Plan

The Standard plan is ideal for:

• Individuals or Couples: If you’re the only user or share with one other person who doesn’t watch simultaneously, 2 streams are enough.

• Small Households: For households with 1-2 viewers, Standard’s features meet most needs.

• Budget-Conscious Users: At $17.99/month, it offers an ad-free experience at a lower cost than Premium.

• No 4K TV: If you don’t have a 4K TV or don’t prioritize 4K streaming, Standard’s 1080p is sufficient.

• Limited Device Use: If you only use a couple of devices for streaming or downloading, Standard’s limits are adequate.

Netflix Premium Plan

The Premium plan is best for:

• Larger Households: Families with 3-4 members who watch simultaneously benefit from 4 streams.

• 4K TV Owners: If you have a 4K TV and fast internet, Premium’s Ultra HD streaming enhances picture quality.

• Multiple Device Users: Those using several devices for streaming or downloading appreciate the 6-device download limit.

• Extra Member Needs: If you want to share with two people outside your household, Premium allows this.

• Audio Enthusiasts: Users with compatible audio setups will enjoy spatial audio for a cinema-like experience.

Conclusion

Choosing between Netflix Standard and Premium depends on your household size, viewing habits, and whether you value advanced features like 4K streaming and spatial audio. The Standard plan, at $17.99/month, is a cost-effective choice for individuals or small households who don’t need 4K or multiple streams. The Premium plan, at $24.99/month, is ideal for larger families, 4K TV owners, or those needing more flexibility with streams and downloads.

Evaluate your needs—such as the number of viewers, devices, and whether you have a 4K setup—to choose the plan that best fits your lifestyle. Both plans offer access to Netflix’s extensive library, ensuring hours of entertainment. For more details, visit Netflix’s Help Center.

FAQs

1. What is the difference in streaming quality between Standard and Premium?

   • Standard offers Full HD (1080p), while Premium offers Ultra HD (4K). 4K provides sharper images but requires a 4K-compatible device and fast internet.

2. Can I watch on multiple devices with both plans?

   • Yes, Standard allows 2 simultaneous streams, and Premium allows 4, accommodating more viewers at once.

3. How many devices can I download content on?

   • Standard allows downloads on 2 devices, while Premium allows downloads on 6, ideal for users with multiple devices.

4. What are extra members, and how much do they cost?

   • Extra members are users outside your household. Standard allows 1 for $8.99/month (no ads) or $6.99/month (with ads). Premium allows up to 2, each at the same cost.

5. Can I upgrade or downgrade my plan?

   • Yes, you can change your plan anytime via your account settings, with changes taking effect immediately.

6. Is there a free trial for Netflix?

   • Netflix no longer offers free trials, but you may find promotional offers or bundles with other services.

7. What devices are supported for streaming Netflix?

   • Netflix supports smart TVs, streaming media players (e.g., Roku, Apple TV), game consoles (e.g., PS4, Xbox), mobile devices, computers, and more. Check the full list on Netflix’s website.

8. Do I need a 4K TV to benefit from the Premium plan?

   • A 4K TV is needed for 4K streaming, but Premium’s other features (more streams, downloads, and extra members) are still valuable without one.

9. Can I use my account on both Standard and Premium devices?

   • Yes, your account works on any supported device. The plan determines the features, not the devices.

10. What happens if I exceed the number of simultaneous streams?

    • Netflix will display an error message, requiring you to stop streaming on one device before starting on another.